as in contentious
relating to or causing the expression of opposing opinions
the new plan raises a number of hot-button issues that are sure to get voters riled up
Synonyms & Similar Words
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Antonyms & Near Antonyms
as in third rail
Related Words
Example Sentences
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Recent Examples of hot-button
Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
As tech executives grow their wealth, affordability has been a hot-button issue in California, where unions are pushing for a one-time 5% tax on the state’s billionaires to fund healthcare and other essential services.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Natural gas bans have become a political hot button in California, with cities such as Berkeley moving to phase out the fossil fuel in favor of electrification.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Adjective
As a member of the court's liberal minority, Sotomayor often writes or joins dissents in cases involving hot-button political issues.
—Aysha Bagchi, USA Today, 9 Apr. 2026
As tech executives grow their wealth, affordability has been a hot-button issue in California, where unions are pushing for a one-time 5% tax on the state’s billionaires to fund healthcare and other essential services.
—Queenie Wong, Los Angeles Times, 8 Apr. 2026
Noun
The looming outfield production is still a hot button topic.
—Jaylon Thompson, Kansas City Star, 7 Feb. 2026
Natural gas bans have become a political hot button in California, with cities such as Berkeley moving to phase out the fossil fuel in favor of electrification.
—Los Angeles Times, 14 Jan. 2026
See All Example Sentences for hot-button
Recent Examples of Synonyms for hot-button
Adjective
-
Already the jobs issue in Hollywood has become a contentious part of the race for governor in California, with several candidates pledging to eliminate the $750 million cap put in place by Newsom, which already was more than double what the state was previously capped at.—
Brian Welk,
IndieWire,
23 Apr. 2026
-
The Kelly Tractor project is contentious enough that Mayor Daniella Levine Cava in February vetoed the commission’s approval of the plan.—
Douglas Hanks,
Miami Herald,
23 Apr. 2026
Noun
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In early February, a Chow Chow named Meatball broke free from his owner at Bowling Green, fell onto the subway tracks, hit the third rail, and died.—
Rachel Sugar,
Curbed,
8 Apr. 2026
-
Someone needs to touch the third rail.—
DP Opinion,
Denver Post,
23 Mar. 2026
Adjective
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When Cuban refugees flooded Miami in 1980 after the Mariel boatlift, the county passed a controversial ordinance that largely banned the use of taxpayer money for programs conducted in languages besides English.—
David Ovalle,
NPR,
20 Apr. 2026
-
And yet, there is worry that one of the new personalities might go rogue; do something that doesn’t adhere to an organization’s journalism standards; or, most challenging, do something controversial on their own platform that becomes associated with the mainstream news venue that employs them.—
Brian Steinberg,
Variety,
20 Apr. 2026
Cite this Entry
“Hot-button.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus, Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/hot-button. Accessed 25 Apr. 2026.
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